Tulowitzki thriving in new role as No. 2 hitter

As long as rookie Troy Tulowitzki continues smashing the ball, he’ll continue hitting from the No. 2 spot. He was in the second spot Saturday for the third straight game. He responded with a 412-foot, two-run homer in the first and a single in the seventh. It was his second straight game with a homer.

“He hit some in the fall league at the No. 2 spot, so we thought it might help him out,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “I know he’s embraced it, and right now he’s the best fit, but we’ll just see how it plays out.”

HOLLIDAY STAYS HOT: With doubles in his first two at-bats, Matt Holliday extended his hitting streak to 11 games, tying his career high.

HAWPE STAYS COLD: Last April, Brad Hawpe sizzled, hitting seven homers. This season, he’s still searching for his first one. Hawpe (.243) went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

He has just one hit in his past 17 at-bats with runners in scoring position.